17/10/2026
DAVID ABBOTT MEMORIAL - TOBY SCHREIER FLINDERS PRO MEET
The 26th running of the 3200m Open David Abbott Memorial takes place this Sunday, 3pm at the picturesque home of the Flinders Athletics Club, Flinders University Pavilion, Bedford Park. The storied event, won by some of the greats of our sport, has pulled together another strong field for this year’s iteration.
A significant race on the calendar of many of our elites locally, the racing promises to be hotly contested and will be one of the highlights of the early part of the SAAL season.
Headlining the field is the phenomenally talented, RunAsOne (Riley C***s) coached and Flinders Life Member Jacob C***s (45m). Gets the honour of running in the red singlet, as he does most times he runs, Jacob, a two-time winner of this event (2009) and (2010) will be looking to get his hands on the sash he last won 16 years ago. His PBs are scary good, 3:51 (1500m), 8:08 (3km), 13:54 (5km), 29:17 (10km) and 63:57 (Half Marathon) and appears to be getting fitter, faster and stronger the older he gets. Has been around the athletics scene for seemingly forever, and seemingly wins big races around the country for fun. One of the most impressive pro runs you will ever see is his 2023 Bay Sheffield 3200m win off scratch (running 9:10 around a windy Colley Reserve) (do yourself a favour and go back and rewatch this race). Also a winner of the Bay Sheffield Select Mile (2019), Jacob not only has talent, but plenty of heart and will be looking to become only the 2nd athlete to win the race 3 times were he to be successful in this years addition. Jacob’s winter has been solid, a 10km Road PB of 29:07 at Bernie earlier this year, a 63 min half marathon in Launceston and a 2:19 marathon on the Gold Coast highlight the shape he is in. Will be a fun watch, strap yourself in.
Local running icon and head coach of one of the biggest distance squads in South Australia is Michael Nitschke (240m - Self Coached - Adelaide Uni). Been with the league since Adam was a boy and has some massive wins including; Bay Sheffield 800 (2012 & 2025), Bay Sheffield 550m (2015). Had a standout season with the league last year podiuming in 8 of his 12 stars last season, cumulating in him winning Bay 800m and finishing 2nd in Stawell 2-mile. A 1:55 (800m), 3:59 (1500m) & 8:46 (3km) guy at his best, this guy is in the form of his life and if he continues form of last year will win his 1st Flinders sash. A crowd favourite who’ll be looking to upset the locals.
Another Flinders athlete is the experienced Tom Lancaster (240m - Riley C***s - Run As One). A physiotherapist by trade, Tom has been running with the league for over 15 years. Biggest wins with the league have been Bay Sheffield 1600m (2019 & 2021), Bay Sheffield 800m (2017), and Flinders 800m (2015 & 2022). A 1:55 (800m) and 3:53 (1500m) & 8:39 (3km) guy at his best. If he brings that, will be hard to beat.
Another exciting junior is Charlie Ellis (300m - Paul Sutcliffe - Flinders). Still very young, Charlie had a breakout season last season. Ran PBs of 4:11 (1500m), 9:15 (3km) and 16:01 (5k) post Christmas to highlight his potential. His best pro run was an eye catching 2nd in the feature Camden Mile last season off a tight mark and if he is anywhere near that shape should be right in this race.
Fresh off his exciting 2nd jn the underage 800m in his pro debut at Marion last weekend is the relatively unknown but exciting for those that have seen him run Lachlan Hodges (300m - Jordan Harvey - Flinders). 3rd in his age group at this years Cross Country State Championships Lachlan has had a great winter and comes into this races primed. Tough and gritty, will claw his way to the finish line and is sure to amongst the lead pack when the whips are cracking. A big watch this season.
The evergreen head Flinders Edge coach and two-time winner of this event (2020 & 2023) Jordan Harvey (340m) will also be looking to join Max Stevens as the only three time winner of this great event. A stalwart of the league and athletics scene in general Jordan, a past winner of both the 1600 (2013) & 3200 (2021) Frontmarkers events at the Bay Sheffield, will be hoping to hold off the backmarkers and stand atop the podium. A crafty athlete, known for his race craft and as passionate as they come, Jordan knows how to hurt, and hurt for a long time. He has been training on these ovals for more than 25 years and there is not a blade of grass on this hallowed turf that he doesn’t know. Its great to see athletes of Jordan’s calibre and experience continue to test himself out against the best we have to offer. Unlucky not to win the 2-mile event at the Bay last year, Jordan, a flinders icon, comes into the event fit and raring to go.
Other athletes in the field include novice and new athlete to the league Clancey Jensen (300m - Self Trained), rising local junior multi sport athlete Jack Fanning (320m - Paul Sutcliffe - Flinders), Flinders veteran Adrian Riessen (450m - Jordan Harvey - Flinders), rising junior Flinders athlete Oscar Norman (460m - Paul Sutcliffe - Flinders) and Bennett Maxwell (520m - Jordan Harvey - Flinders) who has won this event previously (2019 – 9:01.02 off 590). Bennett, who knows how to win a big race (previously has won Stawell 1600m O/35 (2024) and 3200m Open (2023) and Bay Sheffield Bay Sheffield 1600m (2023 & 2025) and 1600m O/35 (2021)). Bennett, a winner of 21 sashes across his career will be looking to become a multiple winner of this event.
Grace Pfitzner (Frank McHugh - Camden) off 550m, having her 1st run at the distance will be the front marker in the event.
This race is often one of the most talked about races of the South Australian Athletic League (SAAL) season and this year’s edition promises to be no different. 3pm, Sunday afternoon, get trackside and watch what will be one of the most loaded distance fields of the season, combine this with a lightning fast track, sunshine and a club who’s history is wedded in distance running, don’t miss this one.
3200m Open David Abbott Memorial Honour Board
2025: Jett Noble 370m 8:58.28
2024: Thomas Elfenbein 35m 9:23.05
2023: Jordan Harvey 275m 9:25.80
2022: Luke Mitchell 30m 9:29.48
2021: Terence Carter 250m 9:25.86
2020: Jordan Harvey 275m 9:25.80
2019: Bennett Maxwell 590m 9:01.02
2018: Robert Killmier 230m 9:03.86
2017: Gregor Dingwall 500m 9:18.41
2016: Max Stevens 170m 8:54.22
2015: Max Stevens 220m 9:02.25
2014: Max Stevens 250m 9:08.56
2013: Max Stevens 310m 8:50.32
2012: Tasmin McMahon 510m 8:51.42
2011: Andy Axford 120m 9:15.64
2010: Jacob C***s 200m 8:57.85
2009: Jacob C***s 270m 9:24:31
2008: Matthew Ferber 150m 9.15.88
2007: Matthew Fenech 175m 9.30.00
2006: Kym Morgan 0m 9.19.37
2005: PJ Bosch 20m 9:22.89
2004: Kym Morgan 150m 8:49.75
2003: Shane Thiele 195m 8.57.38
2002: Dale Engler 175m 8:47.07
2001: PJ Bosch 245m 8:47.17
